Luis Cortell enters his first initial year at the helm of the Shaw University men's and women's soccer program.

Prior to coming to Shaw, Cortell spent the past year as the head coach of the Charlotte United Futbol Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before moving to Charlotte, he was head coach of the West Virginia Tech University soccer team for five years where he holds the all-time record for winning percentage at .777 (70-18-6), career wins, wins in a season, and all his teams were ranked in every single-season category.

He also stressed academics during his tenure and led the WVU Tech program to a 2.65 GPA in 2009-10 during his first season in charge, then to an average GPA 3.0 in subsequent seasons.

In 2013, Coach Cortell guided the WVU Tech team to an overall record of 18-2-1 and the title of 2013 USCAA National Champions, followed by another USCAA National Championships title in a record of 18-0-1 in 2014.

Cortell has been an integral part of coaching staffs that have produced four All-American academic teams, 13 All-Americans, six conference players of the year, nine All-Region selections, 33 All-Conference selections and 52 All-Academic selections. In 2008 and 2009, his teams were crowned as the GLIAC Tournament Champions and made a post-season appearance in the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2008. His teams also made the NSCAA All-Academic team in 2008 and 2009.

As a student-athlete, Cortell attended and played for the University of Findlay. He started 60 of the 63 games during his career and is the current record holder in seven all-time and single season records for the Oilers since joining the NCAA II, including the single season record in goals (16-2001 and 2003) and the all-time in goals with 45.

Cortell served as a team captain for two seasons, was named an NSCAA All-American and was selected to the All-Region Team twice and All-GLIAC Team three times. During his playing career at Findlay, the Oilers enjoyed consistent success on the national level, concluding three seasons ranked 22nd, 24thand 5thin NCAA DII before finishing his collegiate playing career with a Final Four appearance. Cortell rounded out his playing career in 2005 after playing professionally for two seasons with the Toledo Slayers under head coach Lee Akliabar.

He is a native of Valencia, Spain and currently resides in Cary, NC with his family.